By Nelson Semanu BOANDOH-KORKOR & Elizabeth BOANDOH-KORKOR
Last week, we introduced key strategies for succeeding in bi-vocational ministry. Here, we present the conclusion of that discussion.
Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: 2 “See, I have called by name Bezalel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3 And I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship, 4 to design artistic works, to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, 5 in cutting jewels for setting, in carving wood, and to work in all manner of workmanship.
6 “And I, indeed I, have appointed with him Aholiab the son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan; and I have put wisdom in the hearts of all the gifted artisans, that they may make all that I have commanded you: 7 the tabernacle of meeting, the ark of the Testimony and the mercy seat that is on it, and all the furniture of the tabernacle.~Exodus 31:1-7 NKJV
- Develop your ‘calling’ skills
So, he fed them according to the integrity of his heart; and guided them by the skillfulness of his hands. ~Psalm 78:72
To succeed as a bi-vocational minister, you need multiple skill sets. You must develop multiple skills sets. Of course, we are referring to skills in business and ministry. David excelled in his leadership because he had skills. It wasn’t just the anointing upon his life that made the difference. As a pastor, there are skills you need in order to excel in ministry. For example, preaching, teaching and counselling are important skills needed in ministry.
These may not be the same as the ones you need to excel in business. To succeed in business, you must develop the ability to identify key business opportunities and seize them effectively, you must be highly entrepreneurial in your thinking, you must have strong sales and marketing skills, your money management skills must be top-notch, the list is endless. Identify and develop them! Often, the problem is that there are pastors who assume that success in ministry will automatically translate into success in business. Unfortunately, it does not work that way.
- Develop a good attitude
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2: 5-11 NKJV
Poor attitude has been the bane of many high potentials. No matter how gifted or skilful you are, if you don’t work on your attitude or mentality, success will continue to elude you. What attitudes do you need? You need an attitude of humility; arrogance and pride will ruin whatever you are trying to build.
You must be willing to accept your mistakes, apologise and move on. You must also be willing to ask for help where necessary; there is no need groping through the dark when others have the light. A good attitude opens doors and opportunities, it gives you favour in all aspects of life.
- Submit to mentorship
Mentorship is key to success in bi-vocational ministry. It’s no secret that mentorship plays a crucial role in achieving success. Having someone to guide and advise you can make your journey easier. There’s no need to reinvent the wheel when others have already paved the way. Why walk alone when you can walk alongside those who have gone ahead of you? Why not stay close to them so you can learn and move faster?
In bi-vocational ministry, seek the wisdom of those who have successfully combined business and ministry. Don’t be ashamed to learn from their experiences and insights. Find a mentor in both business and ministry, preferably someone who has excelled in both areas. Submitting to their leadership and guidance can accelerate your growth and development.
Remember, submission to authority is a fundamental principle for success in any worthwhile endeavour. Even Jesus, the Son of God, submitted to authority. By humbly seeking mentorship and learning from experienced individuals, you can gain valuable knowledge, avoid common pitfalls and ultimately achieve greater success in your bi-vocational ministry.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: 6 who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7 but made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8 and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. ~Philippians 2: 5-11 AKJV
- Pursue excellence
Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort. ~Paul J. Meyer
In bi-vocational ministry, excellence is not optional; it’s a necessity. Every pastor in business needs an unwavering commitment to excellence to create a lasting impact. This pursuit should permeate every aspect of your work, from sermons and branding to outreach programmes and business operations.
Excellence should be evident in everything you do:
- Sermons: Delivering well-prepared, impactful messages that resonate with your congregation.
- Branding: Creating a strong, consistent brand identity for your ministry and business.
- Outreach programmes: Designing and executing programmes that effectively reach and serve your community.
- Business operations: Managing your business with integrity, efficiency and a focus on customer satisfaction.
- Excellence attracts people: It should be visible in your marketing, customer service, branding, product and service packaging and delivery. The list is endless.
For bi-vocational ministers, excellence is a game-changer. It means consistently delivering high-quality work in both ministry and business. By striving for excellence, you not only enhance your personal brand but also create a positive ripple-effect, inspiring others to raise their standards as well. Ultimately, excellence is not just about achieving results; it’s about cultivating a mindset of continuous improvement, growth and dedication to serving God and others with your best efforts.
- Embrace hard work and diligence
Diligence is the mother of good fortune ~ Benjamin Disraeli
Hard work and diligence are paramount for success as a bi-vocational minister. Excellence in both business and ministry requires dedication and perseverance in both spheres. Be diligent in your ministry. Apply same to your professional career or business. Don’t expect success to come easily; be prepared to put in the effort and go the extra mile to achieve your goals.
Give no sleep to your eyes, Nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Deliver yourself like as gazelle from the hand of the hunter, And like a bird from the hand of the fowler. 6 Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise, 7 Which, having no captain, Overseer or ruler, 8 Provides her supplies in the summer, And gathers her food in the harvest. 9 How long will you slumber, O sluggard? When will you rise from your sleep? 10 A little sleep, a little slumber,A little folding of the hands to sleep— 11 So shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. – Proverbs 6:4-11 NKJV
- Avoid distractions
Maintaining focus in bi-vocational ministry is essential for success. You should try to avoid distractions from your key assignment.
Combining a professional career with ministry is demanding and requires a focused approach to succeed. Successful bi-vocational ministers prioritise their ministry and career, avoiding distractions and staying aligned with their core mission. They don’t simply follow trends or imitate others. They understand their unique calling and invest their time and energy accordingly. This focus allows them to effectively balance their dual roles, maximising their impact in both areas.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. ~Philippians 3:12-14 NIV
- Do it even if you don’t feel like it!
Discipline is the cornerstone of success in business and ministry. The key to success is discipline. Relying solely on feelings will hinder your progress. Ministry tasks like evangelism, prayer, discipleship and sermon preparation require consistent effort, even when motivation wanes. Similarly, in business, providing excellent customer service, pursuing new business goals and seeking new opportunities demands discipline.
Following your feelings won’t lead to success in either domain. Be determined to do what’s necessary, even if you don’t feel like it. Avoid making excuses. Learn to control your impulses and prioritise your responsibilities.
By cultivating discipline, you establish a strong foundation for achieving your goals in both ministry and business. Remember, success isn’t about waiting for the perfect moment or relying on fleeting motivation; it’s about consistently doing what needs to be done, regardless of how you feel.
And there it was, all overgrown with thorns; Its surface was covered with nettles; Its stone wall was broken down. 32 When I saw it, I considered it well; I looked on it and received instruction: 33 A little sleep, a little slumber, A little folding of the hands to rest; 34 So shall your poverty come like a prowler, And your need like an armed man. ~Proverbs 30:30-34 NKJV
For further study on this subject, kindly get a copy of our book: Pastors In Business: Thriving As A Bivocational Minister; Strategic Keys To Success.
Nelson Semanu Boandoh-Korkor is a distinguished figure, acclaimed as an Author, Publishing Consultant, Christian Business Coach, and a fervent Financial Evangelist. Nelson is a forex trader, cryptocurrency investor and metaverse enthusiast.
Elizabeth Boandoh-Korkor (CA) is an accomplished Chartered Accountant with extensive experience as a Financial Management Consultant, spanning close to two decades in both the not-for-profit and banking sectors. You can reach out to them on +233549762233 or [email protected]
